For the most part, Washingtonians go about their daily business and don't give a lot of thought to the fact that we live in the Cascadia Subduction Zone where earthquakes can occur on a frequent basis. It's part of life here, it's how many of us grew up and it is just part of living in Washington.
On January 26, 1700, one of the most powerful earthquakes in history struck off the West Coast of the United States, triggering a massive tsunami and altering the coastline from southern British Columbia to Northern California. This earthquake, estimated to have reached a magnitude 9 on the modern logarithmic scale, ranks among the top ten ever recorded.
Though the region was sparsely populated at the time, scientists have reconstructed the event using geological evidence, tree ring data, and an unexpected source: historical records from Japan. That same day, a tsunami hit Japan's eastern coastline. It wasn't until the 1980s and '90s that scientists linked this "orphan tsunami" to the Pacific Northwest earthquake.
Corina Allen, chief hazards geologist with Washington's Department of Natural Resources, explained that this discovery allowed researchers to pinpoint the exact date and time of the Cascadia Subduction Zone's last major rupture. Further evidence was found in coastal Washington, where trees showed signs of dying during the winter of 1700, corroborating the timeline.
The earthquake was triggered by the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 700-mile-long fault line where the Juan de Fuca Plate slides beneath the North American Plate. The ongoing tectonic movement in this region suggests that another significant earthquake is inevitable.
Scientists have been closely studying the geologic record, including past tsunami deposits and evidence of land level changes, to determine how often large earthquakes occur. According to research, earthquakes in the Cascadia Subduction Zone have historically occurred every 200 to 1,000 years, and with the last one over 300 years ago, the Pacific Northwest could be on the brink of another major seismic event, often referred to as the "Big One."
This future earthquake is expected to be as powerful as the last, but this time it will impact an estimated 15 million people. The devastation will be extensive, with buildings collapsing, roads and runways cracking, bridges falling, and communication systems failing. A tsunami triggered by the earthquake could reach parts of the Washington coast in as little as 10 minutes.
Chandra Fox, deputy director at Spokane County Emergency Management, warns that when—not if—the Cascadia Subduction Zone ruptures, it will result in the worst disaster the United States has ever seen, surpassing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy.
The impact zone will stretch from southern British Columbia through Washington, Oregon and into Northern California. In preparation, Fairchild Air Force Base is set to serve as a secondary staging area, while Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake will be the primary staging base.
Washington's catastrophic plan includes memorandums of understanding with Spokane County, Spokane Community College and the National Guard Readiness Center to use their facilities to reconstitute the state Emergency Operations Center in Spokane. It is currently located at Camp Murray outside of Seattle.
Was a large-scale emergency preparedness exercise conducted to simulate the response to a major earthquake and tsunami along the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ), which extends from northern California to southern British Columbia. This region is at risk of experiencing a significant seismic event, known as a "megathrust" earthquake, which could have devastating effects on the Pacific Northwest.
The Exercise was part of a series of ongoing efforts to improve coordination and response capabilities among federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as well as private sector and non-governmental organizations. The goal was to enhance readiness for a real-world event by testing communication systems, emergency operations centers, and response plans.
Factors Of Consideration
Simulated Earthquake and Tsunami
The scenario involved a 9.0 magnitude earthquake followed by a tsunami, impacting communities across the Pacific Northwest.
Multi-Agency Coordination
The exercise involved collaboration between multiple agencies across various levels of government, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state emergency management agencies, local governments, tribal nations, and the military.
Community Involvement
Local communities participated by activating their emergency response plans, conducting drills, and testing their ability to respond to a large-scale disaster. Detailed information was gathered to help prepare for the future possibility of a megathrust earthquake.
Communication and Logistics
The exercise tested communication channels, resource distribution, and the ability to restore critical infrastructure. Understanding how communication could potentially be knocked out by a megathrust earthquake is tantamount to preparing for emergency communication services including HAM radios, and other methods of communication.
Public Awareness
Cascadia Rising also aimed to raise public awareness about the risks associated with the Cascadia Subduction Zone and the importance of preparedness. For the most part, Washingtonians live their days without worry of “When will the big one hit?” However, this study was important to determine how Washington State as a whole could better prepare themselves for the future of such a cataclysmic event.
The exercise helped identify strengths and weaknesses in the existing emergency response plans, providing valuable lessons to improve future preparedness efforts in the region.
What do you think? Is it something that Washingtonians should be concerned about? Or should we just go about our day without regard to 'What to do when the big one hits?' What do you think?
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